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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Former Katsina Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has tasked Nigerian universities on the need to deploy technology that would equip their graduates with relevant skills to compete globally.
A statement from TETFund indicated that Masari stated this at 17th convocation ceremony of Al-Qalam University, Katsina, where he was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration in recognition of his contributions to public service, education, human capital development and leadership.
He emphasised the need for moral uprightness and institutional resilience as critical pillars for Nigeria’s educational and national development, and maintained that orientation towards technology has become inevitable for the survival of higher education and the nation in general.
He said: “In today’s world, a deliberate tilt towards technology is not optional. it’s inevitable. The number of graduates produced annually by our universities demand a robust paradigm shift; one that ensures that our graduates are adequately equipped with relevant skills to compete in an increasingly dynamic inter-connected global environment.
“Our youths must be challenged to embrace modern technology and through its mastery, develop innovative solutions for agriculture, security, service delivery, health care, mineral exploration and other critical drivers of national development.
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Masari expressed appreciation to the university community for the honour, paying tribute to the visionaries behind the establishment of the institution.
Masari, however, urged political leaders to display caution and embrace leadership anchored on purpose, patriotism and national development as the country approached another season of political activities and elections.
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He also cautioned that global events had also shown that advanced democracies could also face political destabilization when competition is unchecked, and therefore, emphasized that patriotism must take precedence over personal political ambition.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State described education as the most powerful instrument for sustainable development, revealing that his administration has so far invested over N6 billion in scholarship awards to no fewer than 174,451 students in tertiary institutions within and outside the country.
He stated that the investment in scholarships, including provision of school infrastructure, skills development among others, were aimed at preparing youths academically, morally, and economically for global competitiveness.
Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Qalam University, Prof. Nasiru Musa Yawuri, announced that the institution graduated a total of 1,109 students across various disciplines, with 18 students graduating with First Class honours, 280 with Second Class Upper degrees, and 507 with Second Class Lower degrees.
